Lynn Shoemaker

This week marks the fortieth consecutive Monday lunch-hour protest of Women Organizing for Wilmington, or WOW*. Since last summer, this grassroots group has been championing women’s rights and public education causes on a weekly basis, whether outside Senator Goolsby’s downtown office, or before the New Hanover County courthouse. But, WOW* has now left downtown altogether--to protest outside the Hobby Lobby at Hanover Center.

For several weeks, Facebook has been buzzing with speculation of a North Carolina public educator walkout to take place next Monday. Teachers and education activists are hoping to shine attention on recent legislative measures including what they say is decreased spending per pupil, a new pay-for-performance system, increased standardized testing and insufficient educator compensation. However, locally, the demonstration will likely take the form of a teacher “walk in,” during which teachers will all wear red and walk into school together.

Protests outside the Wilmington law office of State Senator Thom Goolsby are going to continue – at least for the near-term. Last Monday, protestors rallied to contest the Republican senator’s support of abortion restrictions. After Thursday’s passage of Senate Bill 353, members of the group behind the protest--Women Organizing for Wilmington, or WOW—say they’re determined to demonstrate every Monday.